Residency app buffering: ACLS/PALS instructor?

[fiznat]

Hello all! I am a MS1 who's previous paramedic experience has me very interested in EM. My school has an opportunity where we can get CPR, ACLS, and PALS instructor certifications and then use them to teach classes that occur frequently on campus and in the surrounding area.

The time commitment is pretty severe, though. They want us to work with them through several 2-day initial certification courses, and then even more after that where we will be expected to plan and organize the whole day in addition to lecturing and all that. It seems like it will be quite a bit of work and effort by the time we are done.

I thought it might be a good idea to get instructor certifications because then (as long as I'm teaching) I don't have to worry about my cards constantly expiring, and I also thought it might be looked on favorably in my future residency applications. It is also a bit of a bonus because there would be no cost to me, and I know these instructor classes can get pretty expensive. I wanted to see what the opinion was here, though. Obviously it is always a good thing to be ACLS and PALS-fluent (especially on clerkships, intern year, etc), but instructor? Is it worth it?

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[pinipig523]

My program has us become ACLS instructors when we become 2nd year residents. I'm sure a lot of other programs do the same.

If you're up for it, then go for it - but as to how much padding it'll do, I'm not sure if any at all.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

I would only do it if it is something you honestly want to do or enjoy doing. Some people do it for the extra cash you can make in med school.

As above, I think this will do little for 'making you a better applicant' to EM....

 

[leorl]

I don't think it'll do much padding, but by all means, do it. A few of us initially did it so that we could start charging all the other off-service people who wanted us to teach it for them. It turned out that I was the only one who went through with it and then they used me to get cheap education without having to shell out $200 for a course.

 

[fiznat]

Yeah, kinda as I suspected.

Just a little more detail: unless something changes (like if I bomb the exams and need to reevaluate), I will be a DO student applying exclusively to allopathic EM programs. I want to be fairly specific about location since I own a home and have a family, but there are no osteopathic EM programs in the area at all (Connecticut).

I realize EM is getting increasingly competitive, and will probably be even more so by the time I graduate in 2015. Just looking to do any and everything (in addition to the basics) to give myself an edge. I think I would also enjoy teaching and a few extra bucks here and there couldn't hurt, but that isn't really my primary motivation.

 

[shoal]

mispost

 

[bgokone]

Yeah, kinda as I suspected.

Just a little more detail: unless something changes (like if I bomb the exams and need to reevaluate), I will be a DO student applying exclusively to allopathic EM programs. I want to be fairly specific about location since I own a home and have a family, but there are no osteopathic EM programs in the area at all (Connecticut).

I realize EM is getting increasingly competitive, and will probably be even more so by the time I graduate in 2015. Just looking to do any and everything (in addition to the basics) to give myself an edge. I think I would also enjoy teaching and a few extra bucks here and there couldn't hurt, but that isn't really my primary motivation.

The best thing you have going for you is you know exactly where you want to be. So IF you have extra time its probably better spent there. you can go to their didactics, get involved with their research and try and get a mentor from their program. Also, if your school has its own Emergency Dept or Residency that is also a great resource and your investment there should transfer, EM is a relatively small community.
Good luck and have fun!